John Norman (16th century MP) facts for kids

John Norman was an important person in York, England, during the 1500s. He was born around 1483 and became a Member of Parliament (MP) for York. This meant he helped represent the city in the English Parliament. He also held many important jobs in York, like being a sheriff and even the Lord Mayor of York. He passed away in 1525.

John Norman's Life and Work

Early Life and Becoming a Freeman

John Norman was born in 1483. His father, also named John Norman, moved to York from another town. John's father was a sheriff of York, which was an important local official.

Because his father was a "freeman" of the city, John could also become one. He joined the Merchant's Guild in 1501. This was a group for merchants and traders. In 1503, he officially became a freeman of York.

Active in the Merchant's Guild

John was very involved in the Merchant's Guild. He held important positions like constable and master. He even represented the guild in London twice. This happened when the Hanseatic League, a powerful group of trading cities, made complaints.

John also did business in the Netherlands with his partner, Thomas Burton. Interestingly, Thomas Burton was also an MP for York at the same time as John.

Acquiring Properties

John Norman was quite successful. In 1524, he bought a large estate called the manor of South Duffield. He also bought properties in other towns like Doncaster and Ripon, as well as in York itself.

Civic Roles in York

John held many important jobs in the city of York. These were called civic offices.

• He was a senior chamberlain from 1512 to 1513.
• He served as sheriff from 1514 to 1515.
• He became an alderman in 1517 and again from 1521 until his death. An alderman was a senior member of the city council. His first attempt to become an alderman faced some challenges.
• In 1524, he became the Lord Mayor of York. His time as mayor also had some disagreements, including a conflict with the Merchants of the Staple, another trading group.

Family Life

John Norman was married three times. He had two sons, named George and Anthony, and two daughters, named Jane and Anne.

His son Anthony was planned to marry the future wife of Archbishop Holgate. His daughter Jane married Richard Goldthorpe, who later became an MP for York in 1559.

John Norman passed away in 1525. He wished to be buried in All Saints' Church, Pavement, York.